Govt ready to hold talks with those who accept constitution: Nawaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif chaired a key meeting of the PML-N’s joint parliamentary party here on Monday. During the meeting it was decided that political parties will be taken into confidence regarding the government’s future course of action. Meanwhile the majority of the participants in the meeting of PML-N Parliamentary Party demanded immediate operation against Taliban.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while addressing the meeting said that country is facing severe security threats, adding that the government will fulfill the responsibility to protect the lives and property of the masses. He said that the government was ready to hold talks with those who are willing to accept the constitution of the country. He said government wants to hold dialogues but it should not be considered as weakness. He said all necessary steps would be taken for the protection of the people.

He said the opinions of parliamentarians should be taken into consideration regarding the dialogue process with the Taliban. The prime minister added that it was essential to save the Pakistani state. According to the prime minister, Pakistan could not prosper unless terrorism and militancy were eliminated.

Prime Minister emphasised that all steps will be taken for establishing peace and stability in the country. He also paid tribute to soldiers who had sacrificed their lives calling them our national heroes.

The prime minister further said Pakistan’s soil should not be used to conduct terrorist activity. Speaking on relations with Pakistan’s neighbours, Prime Minister Sharif said Islamabad wanted cordial relations with India and all other neighbours.

Prime Minister said every step will be taken for peace in the country.
He said without eliminating terrorism and extremism‚ Pakistan cannot make progress. Nawaz Sharif said we have to save the future of our nation.

He said personnel of security forces are sacrificing their lives in the war against terrorism. He said their sacrifices will not go to waste.
He said it is necessary to seek the opinion of members of the Parliament on dialogue with Taliban. Elements attacking security forces and civilians are our enemies, he added.

Without eliminating terrorism and extremism‚ Pakistan cannot progress. We have to save the future of our nation, he added.

He said security personnel are sacrificing their lives in the war against terrorism, adding that their sacrifices will not go waste.

PM termed those elements as “enemy of the country and Islam” who are launching attacks on the armed forces and the civilians. Nawaz Sharif asked the PML-N parliamentarians to present constructive suggestions for the legislation being done for the protection of the masses. He said that the terrorists would be eliminated through legislation.

During the meeting Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan provided a briefing on the Karachi operation, the security situation in the country and the Taliban’s offer to hold talks with the government.

According to sources of a private TV channel, Nisar said the decision to hold talks or conduct an operation against the Taliban would be taken by the prime minister and leadership of the country. Further, Nisar said he did not trust the Taliban anymore as they were asking for talks and killing innocent people at the same time.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said terrorism had taken its toll on investment and the performance of industries. He added that by the end of the fiscal year, Pakistan’s Forex reserves will reach $16 billion.

Meanwhile according to the press release issued by the PM office it is said that the Parliamentary Party meeting of PML (N) was held in PM office under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz.

Addressing the Parliamentarians, Prime Minister said that our country is facing two major problems i.e. fragile economy and terrorism. PM said that on economic front we have taken actions which are proving to be fruitful. Economic Indicators, despite law and order situation, are positive. Corruption free society and transparent system is our road towards progress, PM said.

Deliberating upon the energy situation he said that though the problem has not been fully resolved, the power availability is better this year as compared to last year. This has been due to the payment of circular debt, addition of 1700 megawatt into the system and better management of the distribution network. He said that “we have more projects in pipeline and hopefully by end of our tenure we will add another 8000 megawatt to the national grid”. But we have to look for surplus power generation keeping in view our future needs, PM added.

36,000 mega watts will be added to the system, by completion of K-2, K-3 civil nuclear power project, Diamer- Bhasha dam, Gadani coal based power project, Nandipur Power project, Jamshoro power project, CASA 1000 and wind power projects, in next 10-12 years, PM told.
Discussing the Infrastructure Policy of the Government PM said that Japanese government has agreed to invest Rs. 2 Billion in Karachi Circular Railway, construction of Lahore-Multan-Karachi Motorway is being planned while work on Economic Trade Corridor, connecting Kashgar in China with Khunjerab and Gawadar in Pakistan, has commenced.

Addressing the issue of Law and order and terrorism, PM told that situation in Karachi has improved and 40% decrease in the heinous crimes has been observed and this has been due to the concerted efforts of Government and Law Enforcement Agencies. PM said that we are going through an extraordinary situation, and this situation demands tough decisions.

Prime Minister said we have to save our future generations. “Without eliminating terrorism and extremism we cannot place Pakistan on fast track of development. We will take every step to bring peace and stability in country. Officers and soldiers of the Armed Forces laying down their lives are our heroes and their blood will not go in vain”, said the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister said that we are a peaceful nation and believe in peaceful relations based on respect with all our neighbors including India. We need to begin a new era of peace and stability in the region, which will be beneficial for Pakistan as well as the whole region, PM added.

We have to rebuild the image of Pakistan as a peace loving country, PM said. This can be achieved only through hard work and needs combined efforts of all stakeholders including Parliamentarians, Civil society, Executive, Judiciary and Defence Forces, he added.

Earlier, Federal Minister for Finance Mr. Ishaq Dar and Federal Minister for Interior Ch Nisar Ali Khan briefed the meeting on the economic and security policies of the Government. Mr. Ishaq Dar told that the positive Government Policies have increased the chances of accessing international capital market and all International Financial Institutions are engaged with Pakistan.

Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that the National Internal Security Policy (NISP) has been devised and will be implemented after approval of the Cabinet.